One of the most renowned gangsters ever, Bumpy Johnson, held sway in Harlem, New York City, from the 1930s to the 1960s. Despite being a criminal, Bumpy was a complex character; he was admired by many, who often viewed him as an inspiration. Over the years, various movies and TV series have portrayed Bumpy or created characters inspired by him.
Discovering one remarkable act in the critically acclaimed series “Godfather of Harlem” on Epix/MGM+, Forest Whitaker astounded us with his exceptional portrayal of Bumpy. This left us pondering – which performances of Bumpy Johnson throughout cinematic history stand out the most? To satisfy your curiosity, we’ve compiled a list of eight must-see movies about Bumpy Johnson, all-time greats ranked by their IMDb scores.
8. Shaft’s Big Score! (1972)
IMDb score: 6.0/10
Here’s my take: I’m stepping right back into the action as the iconic Shaft returns for another thrilling adventure! This time, it’s personal – an old friend has met a violent end, and I’m on the hunt to bring the murderer to justice. You see, this friend was involved in a money laundering scheme through a seemingly legitimate business, and a substantial sum of $250,000 went missing. The city’s criminal underworld is abuzz with greed, as every thug vies for control of the city and that quarter of a million dollars. But fear not, for Shaft is here to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to light!
The storyline primarily focuses on someone other than Bumpy Johnson, but the character of Bumpy Jonas, who is loosely based on Bumpy Johnson, appears in the film. This role was skillfully played by Moses Gunn, similar to his performance in the first Shaft movie.
7. Hoodlum (1997)
IMDb score: 6.3/10
In the 1930s, Harlem is divided between two rival gangs vying for control over the illegal gambling industry. On one hand, you have Bumpy Johnson’s group, and on the other, Dutch Schultz’s crew. The notorious Lucky Luciano suggests a truce, but it fails to materialize, leading to an intense conflict with numerous casualties.
Initially, Bumpy serves time in prison, but later on, he’s granted parole. Interestingly, Bumpy’s old partner ends up behind bars due to racketeering charges. As a condition, Johnson swears off violence. However, there’s a possibility that circumstances might compel him…
The movie “Hoodlum” tells the story of infamous criminal Bumpy Johnson, with Lawrence Fishburne playing that role. However, it’s important to note that while the film is inspired by true events involving Bumpy and other gangsters, it does not strive for historical accuracy and instead presents a loosely based interpretation.
6. Come Back Charleston Blue (1972)
IMDb score: 6.4/10
The setting is Harlem, where ongoing gang conflicts persist. Two policemen, Gravedigger and Coffin Ed, are tasked with bringing an end to this violence. It seems that a gangster from the prohibition era, Charleston Blue, who was believed dead for four decades, has resurfaced. The signature murders utilizing a straight-edge razor reminiscent of Blue’s modus operandi have begun once more.
Is he back, or is there something else going on? Coffin Ed and Gravedigger are here to find out.
As a cinephile, I must say that while the character Charleston Blue in this movie isn’t explicitly named Bumpy Johnson, he seems to be inspired by the infamous figure. This man was absent for some time, yet upon his return, he was looked up to as an icon. His mission: to cleanse Harlem of its criminal elements, a task he undertook with unorthodox methods such as slitting the throats of those involved in illicit activities. Quite intense, wouldn’t you agree?
Charleston Blue was portrayed by… well, if I told you, it’d spoil the movie.
5. The Cotton Club (1984)
IMDb score: 6.5/10
The focus of this narrative is The Cotton Club, a renowned Harlem nightspot that flourished in the 1920s and 1930s. We delve into the lives of the club’s proprietor, musicians, dancers, as well as the various patrons, such as Dutch Schultz, Frenchy Demange, Bumpy Rhodes, and more.
In this version, I tried to maintain the original meaning while using a more conversational tone and simplifying some of the sentence structures for easier readability.
This movie features a minor character named Bumpy Rhodes, who shares similarities with the real-life figure Bumpy Johnson. Although his screen time is limited, his presence significantly contributes to the storyline. Notably, Lawrence Fishburne portrays this role twice within the film.
4. Shaft (1971)
IMDb score: 6.6/10
Main Topic: The story revolves around John Shaft, a private investigator. He’s hired by a crime boss from Harlem to locate his abducted daughter and ensure her safe return. Along his path, he initially clashes with a character named Bumpy. However, later on, Shaft assists Bumpy in finding his daughter, who was kidnapped by the White Mafia as part of an extortion plot against Bumpy.
Why is the focus on Bumpy in this sequel: Previously, we mentioned that a Shaft sequel is included in our list. However, this film features a more substantial part for Bumpy Jonas, a character modeled after Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson. Portrayed by Moses Gunn, he’s the head of a gang whose daughter was abducted, leading him to hire Shaft to track her down.
In actuality, the tale you’re about to witness is entirely fabricated. However, it’s worth noting that during Bumpy’s conflict with Dutch Schultz in reality, there were over 40 murders and numerous kidnappings. Thus, this film draws upon those historical events to craft its narrative.
3. Life (1999)
IMDb score: 6.8/10
The story revolves around Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, two individuals who find themselves falsely accused of murder in 1932 by an unscrupulous sheriff. Despite being total strangers, they forge a powerful bond during their 65-year imprisonment. The movie chronicles their humorous banter and attempts to break free from prison while also navigating through the ups and downs of their friendship.
In what way does the film focus on Bumpy Johnson: Despite being the central figure in real life, Bumpy Johnson is merely a secondary character in this movie. However, the role of Spanky Johnson, who bears some resemblance to Bumpy and was played by the renowned musician Rick James, is pivotal.
2. Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
IMDb score: 7.6/10
Topic Overview:
Alcatraz Island’s notorious maximum-security penitentiary situated near the coast of San Francisco, California. It was renowned as an unbreakable prison; no one had ever managed to escape until three men dared to try – possibly.
The film “Escape from Alcatraz” is fascinating, but Bumpy Johnson isn’t a primary figure in the storyline. Interestingly, though, the character of ‘English,’ played by Paul Benjamin, is loosely modeled after Bumpy.
In the real world, it’s said that Bumpy Johnson facilitated the escape of the three individuals believed to have fled from Alcatraz by organizing a boat ride to transport them from their escape location to Pier 13, which is situated in the Hunters Point district of San Francisco.
1. American Gangster (2007)
IMDb score: 7.8/10
As a cinephile, I delve into the gritty world of “American Gangster,” a film that unravels the life of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug kingpin. Assigned to apprehend him is an NYC police officer, thrust into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game with this real-life gangster.
Lucas’s enterprise was unique; he sourced his heroin directly from the origin, ensuring superior quality compared to his rivals while also undercutting their prices. Needless to say, such business tactics did not sit well with the competition…
The film primarily focuses on Frank Lucas, a protégé of Bumpy Johnson, who eventually took over after his mentor’s demise. Although Bumpy Johnson is featured in the movie, he is not the main character; instead, he is played by Clarence Williams III.
Among all the films on this list, this one is both the most authentic adaptation of a true story and, in my view, the finest. With such an extraordinary cast featuring Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Ruby Dee, Carla Gugino, Cuba Gooding Jr., and more, it’s hard not to be impressed!
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2025-06-10 14:45